The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7607
MUSIC plays a big part in many people’s Christmas celebrations – whether it involves listening to a Salvation Army band’s carols in the high street or belting out a rendition of ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ at the work Christmas party. Whatever our taste in music, there will almost certainly be a Christmas composition to suit. Two singers well known for their Christmas hits are Cliff Richard and Aled Jones. Cliff had success with songs such as ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ and ‘Saviour’s Day’ and Aled was only a teenager when his cover of ‘Walking in the Air’ became a Top 10 hit in 1985. As we discover in this week’s War Cry, both artists have new albums out this Christmas. Aled has produced an album with fellow singing star Russell Watson. Christmas with Aled and Russell is, Aled tells us, ‘feelgood and Christmassy’. The album contains secular favourites as well as some familiar carols. In his interview, Aled explains why he believes those carols still have worth today. ‘They tell the most magical story of all,’ he says. ‘Marry that with fantastic melodies and there you have it. I suppose they were the greatest pop hits of their day.’ Aled goes on to explain how that ‘most magical story of all’ is the account of the birth of Jesus, remembered in the Nativity plays often staged at this time of year. ‘An excellent testament to the story is that it has stood the test of time,’ he tells us, ‘and that it gives so many people comfort in all aspects of life, me included. I love the excitement of the birth of Jesus.’ The excitement that Aled speaks about is felt by Christians across the world as they celebrate Christmas. For them, the season marks the time when God came into the world so that people of all backgrounds and heritages could experience ad the War C his love in their lives – giving everyone who e re ry accepts it something to celebrate, at u’v Christmas and throughout the year.
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies
CONTENTS FEATURES
3 Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
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A time to rejoice Cliff talks about the festive season
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Musical memories Aled Jones on carols
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Acting up Drama company takes the Nativity story to schools
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Your local Salvation Army centre
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2 • WAR CRY • 17 December 2022
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Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
From the editor’s desk
When yo
What is The Salvation Army?
Gold medallist dives into faith Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix on what defines her REGULARS
12 Team Talk 13 Now, There’s a Thought! 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: COURTESY OF DEACON COMMUNICATIONS